I recently spread a two inch topping of rotted oak leaves around a small plant. I grow Common milkweed in big pots at the edge of the compost pile where I scooped the mulch. Yesterday, while walking the garden, I noticed what looked like a new growth of Common Milkweed in this compost topping. I am sure that is what it is. The only explanation I can think of is I must have scooped out a tiny bit of Common MW root and it has sprouted into a new growth. This bed is FAR away from the area where I grow the Common MW in big pots. I know how it spreads underground but I am sure this is not directly linked to the area where I grow Common. I'm going to let it grow for a bit, then dig it up to see the extent of the root. The bit of root had to be tiny, as I put the mulch in a small basket, then transferred to the area around the plant. I always watch the mulch for worms and know I would have spotted a big piece of root.

Has anyone ever started new Common MW plants by clipping and planting a bit of root?

Mary